Cherry tree named ‘Royal Hazel’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of cherry tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Mahaleb’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. A low chilling requirement of approximately 500 hours at or below 45° F.   2. Fruit maturing in the early season.   3. Fruit with an attractive red skin color.   4. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   5. The ability of the fruit to remain firm on the tree 7 days past maturity.   6. Heavy and regular production of large size fruit.

Botanical classification: Prunus avium.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofcherry tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of cherry trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein, ‘Bing’ Cherry (non-patented) and ‘Minnie Royal’ Cherry(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,942).

Origin of the Variety

The present new variety of cherry tree (Prunus avium) was originated byus in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. as an openpollinated seedling from a proprietary seedling selection with the fieldidentification number ‘25Z116’. The selection ‘25Z116’ originated from afirst generation cross between two selected proprietary seedlings. Thetwo proprietary seedlings originated from a cross of a selected seedlingof ‘Bing’ Cherry (non-patented) and a low chilling cherry seedling ofunknown parentage. A large group of these open pollinated seedlings werebudded on established ‘Mahaleb’ Rootstock (non-patented) to acceleratefruit production and maintained under close and careful observation, onesuch low chilling seedling, which is the present variety, bearing heavyproduction of large size, early maturing fruit with very good eatingquality, was selected in 2002 for asexual reproduction andcommercialization.

Asexual Reproduction of the Variety

Additional asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety ofcherry tree was by budding to ‘Mahaleb’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual reproductions.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new and distinct cherry tree is of large size, vigorous uprightgrowth and has a low winter chilling requirement of approximately 500hours at or below 45° F. The tree is a regular and productive bearer ofearly maturing, large size, firm fruit with very good flavor and eatingquality. The fruit is further characterized by its attractive red skincolor and its ability to remain firm on the tree 7 days past maturity(shipping ripe). In comparison to its ancestor ‘Bing’ Cherry(non-patented) the new variety has a lower winter chilling requirement,blooming approximately 10 days earlier, having a wider range ofadaptability, and fruit that matures approximately 12 days earlier. Incomparison to its seed parent (25Z116) the new variety bloomsapproximately 10 days earlier, has firmer fruit with more distinctflavor and matures approximately 12 days earlier. In comparison to‘Minnie Royal’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,942) the new variety has the samelow winter chilling requirement of 500 hours at or below 45° F. andapproximately 8 days later in maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new cherry variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 9 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofcherry tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of9 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large. Tree pruned to 3 to 4 meters in height and 2 to            3 meters in width for economical harvesting of fruit.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous. Tree growth reaching 1 to 2 meters the            first growing season. Growth rate will vary slightly with            soil type and depth, cultural practices and climatic            conditions.        -   Form.—Upright. During the first and second growing seasons            scaffolds are selected and tied down to increase crotch            angle and help spread to desired width.        -   Branching habit.—Upright. Crotch angle approximately 30°,            heavy fruit production tends to increase the branch angles.        -   Productivity.—Productive, produces a heavy crop annually.        -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set for 6 consecutive years.        -   Fertility.—Self sterile, pollinator required.        -   Density.—Medium dense. Usually pruned to vase shape to            enhance health of fruit spurs by allowing greater air            movement and sunshine.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement is approximately 500 hours at or below            45° F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large. Measured 46.9 cm in circumference at 30.5 cm            above ground on a 9 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium rough, varies with age of growth.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 5/2 to 10YR 3/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 14.7 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth on new growth, becomes medium rough            on mature growth.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous. Averages 28 in a 25.8 sq cm section.            Average length 3.8 mm. Average width 2.2 mm. Color varies            from 7.5YR 5/8 to 10YR 5/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/8. Old            growth varies from 10YR 5/2 to 10YR 3/6, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 131.0 mm. Average width 59.3 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Doubly serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over leaf veins, glabrous. Lower surface            relatively smooth, slight ridges created by midrib and            pinnate venation, glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 37.2 mm. Average width 1.9 mm.            Grooved longitudinally. Color varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 7.5R            3/6 where exposed to the sun. Surface — glabrous.        -   Glands.—Reniform. Large size. Number varies from 1 to 3,            average number 2. Average length 1.6 mm. Average width            1.2 mm. Located primarily on the upper portion of petiole.            Color varies from 7.5R 3/12 to 7.5R 2/8.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 7.5GY 4/8 to 5GY 3/6. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 5GY 4/6. Midvein color varies            from 2.5GY 7/8 to 2.5GY 5/8.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 18.8 mm. Average diameter 11.0            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Form.—Plump, conical.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 14.7 mm. Average width 1.3 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/8.        -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).        -   Number of buds per spur.—Average 7, varies from 5 to 12.-   Flowers:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average height 19.4 mm. Average diameter 33.8            mm.        -   Petals.—Number 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Nearly            orbicular, narrows at point of attachment. Margin — sinuate            with slight cleft at center of apex. Average length 18.1 mm.            Average width 17.4 mm. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous. Color — N 9.5/ (white).        -   Sepals.—Number 5, alternately arranged to petals. Triangular            shape. Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous. Average            length 8.1 mm. Average width 5.5 mm. Color — upper surface            varies from 5GY 5/8 to 5GY 4/6. Lower surface varies from            5GY 5/6 to 5R 3/6.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 38. Average filament            length 12.5 mm. Filament color N 9.5/ (white). Anther color            varies from 5Y 8/8 to 5Y 8/10.        -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollinator required. Color varies from            5Y 7/10 to 5Y 7/12.        -   Pistil.—Normally one. Average length 15.9 mm. Position of            stigma average of 1.2 mm above anthers. Surface — glabrous.            Color varies from 2.5GY 8/6 to 2.5GY 7/8.        -   Fragrance.—Slight.        -   Blooming period.—Data of First Bloom Mar. 6, 2007. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 16, 2007, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).        -   Number of flowers per flower bud.—Average 4, varies from 1            to 6.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 15.8 mm. Average width 1.4 mm. Color            varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—May 9, 2007.        -   Date of last picking.—May 16, 2007, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 25.6 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 26.5 mm. Average weight 12.6            grams, varies with fertility of the soil, amount of thinning            and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose, slightly flattened at apex and base.        -   Suture.—Relatively smooth, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Smooth, nearly rounded.        -   Apex.—Varies from slightly retuse to rounded.        -   Base.—Flat to slightly retuse.        -   Cavity.—Rounded. Average depth 1.0 mm. Average diameter 2.7            mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 30.2 mm. Average            diameter 1.6 mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY 4/6.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Very juicy, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 16.3°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 5R 3/8 to 7.5R 2/8, varies with fruit            maturity. Pit cavity varies from 5R 2/4 to 7.5R 2/4.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Bloom.—Wanting.        -   Tendency to crack.—None during dry weather, only slight            tendency to crack in wet weather. Depends on stage of            maturity.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5R 3/10 to 7.5R 2/8.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—None.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 10.3 mm. Average width            8.8 mm. Average thickness 7.0 mm.        -   Form.—Obovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Surface.—Relatively smooth throughout.        -   Sides.—Equal to unequal. Some stones have one side extending            further from suture plane.        -   Ridges.—A small narrow ridge on each side of the suture,            extending from base to apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 6/6 to 10YR 6/6 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viability.—Viable, good embryo development.        -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 7.7 mm. Average width            5.4 mm. Average depth 4.7 mm.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 9/2 to 5Y 9/4.-   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm for 14 days in cold storage at 38°    to 42° F. and maintained good appearance and eating quality.-   Shipping quality: Good, minimal flesh bruising or skin scarring    during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of cherry tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of cherry tree, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous,upright growth and being a regular and productive bearer of earlymaturing, large size fruit that have the ability to remain firm on thetree 7 days past maturity (shipping ripe); the fruit is furthercharacterized by its attractive red skin color, very good flavor andeating quality, and in comparison to ‘Bing’ Cherry (non-patented), thenew variety blooms approximately 10 days earlier and the fruit maturesapproximately 12 days earlier.